What does the "I" in IMA stand for?

Internal martial arts

Most of my Martial Arts instruction was at a TKD McDojo. No one ever explained to me the internal aspects involved in delivary an effective attack; so, I was, essentialy, performing nothing more than a mere dance. I dropped out awhile ago and have been analyzing how the attacks could be effective. I'm getting there.
Of course, because I havn't sought out a proper instructor like you guys have suggested , I am having trouble.
1. One problem is that have I difficulty transmitting energy from my body to arm. ALot of the energy my attack gains from my body disperses at around the shoulder area. There is a way that I have tried to get passed this but it leavse me feeling over extended and vulnerable.
2. The rotation in my spine is less than acceptable, the majority of the twist occurs in maybe only in two areas along the spine.
3. Alot of people attack in arcs of movement starting from their feet and ending in their striking area. I was thinking that perhaps a mixed up sequance may be more effective. For example, twisting the hip THEN pressing off with the feet.

Kempoman: When you say redirect the opponent's force. do you mean that you accept his attack into your own system and direct the movement towards the ground then just bounce it back? Or do you direct it towards the ground then send it back with your own force, effectively attacking him with both yours and his force.

Sorry that I can't use the terminology that you guys are used to, but I don't know it to use it

Neat thread. I have to say, the first time I saw my teacher 'do this'...it simply did not compute. I had never seen a person 'move' this way, and simply did not have the words or concepts to ask about it. "What is that wavy-snap thing you do?" Seeing someone 'move' energy is...just plain awesome.

Quote:

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It is very difficult to explain to someone how it feels when they are properly connected. It is like a bunch of connected gears, turning any one of the gears turns the whole mechanism. I that that it has been explained like this by many people and it never quite gets the point across.

I think that what is never said is that it is not a conscious effort to move the thing as a whole. When they say that it is like that set of gears they mean it, exactly like that set of gears. Moving anything the connection moves everthing else.

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Thanks alot for the help Fisherman
Sorry for getting off topic, I hadn't realized it when I was typing.

I'm back baby!
I love the new forum, and there are stickies now!! And I see you've been keeping things running smooth Lane!

Some random thoughts of mine from reading this thread.

1. I think that all martial arts can be associated with the IMA because IMA is something natural that has been lost in us over time, just as it has been lost from EMA over time. Weather there is evidence in the system of it ever being taught or not is a different story. But I can't help but view my training as if I am getting something back that was supposed to be there, rather than getting something new.

2. I think that the internal connections of foot to hand, knee to elbow... is just one view of the connections. Another view of those connections are connecting inside and out. Layer to layer, bodily system to bodily system. I'm starting to see a circle of 'perpetual' energy within my bodily systems. I don't know how to describe it, but each system fuels the next, and it is all directed from the CNS through the bones. Its just like science would describe it if you were to research anatomy, but it is different because with IMA, you learn how to 'do' it.

3.When it comes to IMA, something very important to keep in mind is that any thing that feels 'mystical' is usually just something you don't understand. Many principles you learn that seem esoteric at first are later on used to do something that is very down to earth, natural, and real. If something seems mystical to me, I just learn it, put it in the back of my mind, and when I am at the right place in my training... it reveals itself to me as what it really is.

4.GEARS! Interesting description. Although I feel I can do this with ease on one side of the body, on the otherside, my gears aren't in place... or something. I'm closer. Although I must admit that sometimes I feel as if the distance between me and my goal can only be measured in Zeno's paradox. If so, I hope I'm clumbsy enough to go more than one half one of these times.

I definately find I'm still not relaxed enough, and that I still haven't been able to see that side of my body as one whole peice. I've come close, but it doesn't feel natural. Occasionally bouncing up and down rapidly sort of shakes things into place better, but its pretty much hit or miss.

Welcome back!

Howdy

Hi Lucid Warrior!

"Occasionally bouncing up and down rapidly sort of shakes things into place better"

Yes it does, doesn't it?
I call it shaking qigong